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Dear Community Leaders,
Hello, and welcome to another edition of "For the People." We are now into our seventh month of COVID-19 in Lake County, and it continues to be difficult for many. To make it worse, health experts in Illinois announced we have been trending in the wrong direction despite the vigilance of our residents and mitigation restrictions will go into effect Saturday morning. I continue to urge people to wear their face masks, wash their hands, and maintain social distancing. And, please stay home when possible, especially if you are sick.
I remain proud of the employees in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office as they continue to push through the many challenges created by this pandemic. The last seven months have not been easy on the men and women in the office. Yet, the staff continues to adapt whenever necessary. Though it has not been easy – and it seems it will be rough for a little while longer – I know we will continue to rise to the challenge as we have in the past. In that regard, I’d be remiss if I didn’t once again express my appreciation to the other county departments that have also risen to the challenges.
In this newsletter, our main stories include an announcement about a $750,000 grant my office received from the U.S. Department of Justice for a 23-hour mental health crisis center, a special award one of our Assistant State's Attorney's received, and the first photos from the State’s Attorney’s Office Young Ambassador’s Board.
Congrats go out to McKenzie Hensen, a Lake County Health Department counselor who works at our Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, for publishing a children’s book. “Reggie The Hedgehog Builds a Safety Sanctuary” is about a hedgehog with a big heart who finds himself struggling because of memories from his past. Hensen is a certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Counselor who works with children and teens who have experienced trauma in their past. Her experience with these troubled youth encouraged her to create a story with the hopes of having children and teens turn inward to use the strengths they carry to cope, overcome and continue to be resilient. Way to go, McKenzie!!!
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I was honored to take part in the groundbreaking for the Dylan Balogh Honor Garden at the Live-Love H.O.P.E. House in Barrington on October 10. The Dylan Balogh Honor Garden is an area of respite, repose and reflection designed to provide a sanctuary and to give honor to those who continue to teach and provide compassion for those in need. Joanne and Mike Balogh, parents of Dylan, have been instrumental in creating awareness and funding for the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center. Their son Dylan's journey ended in October of 2017, yet his spirit continues through this project. For more information, please check out the honor garden's website at https://livelovehope.org/upcoming-events/honor-garden/
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Once again, the staff at the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office created an informational display in the lobby of the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan during October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The display included a Silent Witness Exhibit, information about where people suffering from domestic abuse can reach out, and other important pieces of information. Please stop by and view it should you happed to be in the courthouse.
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As we continue to work together to stay safe during this pandemic, I continue to urge you to stay in contact with family members and neighbors. Only together will we get through this.
Spotlight Story:
Lake County State's Attorney's Office awarded grant for Crisis Triage Stabilization Center
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has been notified by the U.S. Department of Justice that the Office of Justice Programs has approved their application for a Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program: Support for Mental Health Centers grant in the amount of $750,000 to staff and supply a proposed 23-hour Crisis Triage Stabilization Center to assist people struggling with a mental health crisis.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office worked jointly on obtaining the three-year grant with Nicasa Behavioral Health Services. The $750,000 grant will help support the personnel and fringe costs of a project director, a project coordinator, a clinical director, and counselor positions, along with other program costs necessary to run the program.
“Currently, so many people that struggle with substance abuse or mental health issues end up in the criminal justice system. As a society, we must do better,” said Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim. “This center will allow us the opportunity to enhance our current efforts to divert those people away from the court system and towards the help they need. This has been a long-time goal for our county and I am excited to see it come to fruition."
The free-standing crisis center is a massive collaboration by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Opioid Initiative, the Lake County Health Department, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services and Lake County government. The new center is expected to open in 2021.
“The funding from this grant will allow us to address those in need with compassion and immediacy, in a non-threatening way, which has been proven to be very effective in other programs we have looked at around the U.S.,” said Bill Gentes, Executive Director of the Lake County Opioid Initiative. “We are excited to be able to get this program started here in Lake County.”
When open, the facility will be used as a prearrest police drop-off for individuals experiencing mental illness or mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse issues. The center will provide a safe resource for people suffering from a mental health crisis rather than the alternative of transporting them to jail or to an emergency room.
“Having this crisis center here in Lake County is long overdue,” said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg. “The Lake County Jail is not the place for someone in mental crisis, they deserve to get the supportive resources needed. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with our county stakeholders to make this crisis/wellness center a reality.”
“The goal of the center is to provide an alternative location to jail or the emergency room for law enforcement officers to bring individuals that are not a safety risk to themselves or others,” said Bruce Johnson, CEO of Nicasa Behavioral Health Services. “At this center, individuals will meet with counselors and peer recovery specialists who - through assessment and referral to services - will guide them to start the road to recovery."
“The County Board is looking forward to partnering with our state’s attorney’s office, the health department, and the sheriff’s office to bring this important facility to our community,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart.
While the Crisis Triage Stabilization Center will provide mental health support to people interacting with law enforcement, additional mental health resources are available to Lake County residents. The Lake County Health Department’s Crisis Care Program offers a free, confidential hotline for anyone experiencing a mental crisis or substance use issue at (847) 377-8088. Counselors are also available in person at 3002 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois. People wishing to speak with a counselor can call or walk in, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone seeking mental health or substance use treatment can also call 211 or text their zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help.
The Lake County State's Attorney's Office Young Ambassadors Board holds first meeting
The 2021 Class of the Lake County State's Attorney's Young Ambassadors Board took place Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center in Gurnee. Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim spoke with students who either appeared in person or over ZOOM.
The speech focused on the role the Lake County State's Attorney's Office, as well as factors to becoming leaders for themselves, their peers and their community. Members will work on three major projects throughout the year; the Mock Trial, Children's Advocacy Center initiatives, and helping members of the community through volunteering.
These students will meet monthly to not only work on projects but to also provide feedback and gain insight on topics related to this age group. Educational workshops help create a forum for open dialogue and assist in providing staff members with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office insight on the needs of this community.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the group was masked, socially distanced, and were screened for COVID prior to the meeting taking place. Masks and hand sanitizer were offered to students in attendance upon their arrival.
For more information on the Young Ambassador's Board at the Lake County State's Attorney's Office, check out the state's attorney's website here.
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